Sunburn: what should be the first aid

Effective first aid for sunburn in terms of evidence-based medicine is reducedFirst aid. Sunburn total to four points.

1. Cool.
2. Moisten.
3. Numb and reduce inflammation (if necessary).
4. Wait until healed.

These items are simple and intuitive. However, trying as quickly as possible to help affected by ultraviolet skin, people often use a completely inappropriate means. The same grandmother's recipes that not only do not help, but even harmful.

Layfhaker collected only proven, unequivocally endorsed by dermatologistsSunscreen FAQs. How do I treat a sunburn? ways to help your skin with sunburn. And along the way painted that does not work and why.

1. Cool the skin

The first step - as fast as you can walk away from direct sunlight. You can just in the shadows, but ideally - in a cool room.

Second - use compresses to soothe burnt skin. To do this for 5-10 minutes, apply to the affected areas soaked in cold water (fresh, not the sea!) Towel. Repeat if necessary. Option: Take a cool bath or shower.

Don'ts

Do not add water to the bath or compresses the foreign substances. Salt (even if the bank says "soothing"), ethanol, urine, vinegar irritate

First Aid for Sunburn already damaged skin and can aggravate swelling and discomfort.

2. moisten the skin

This is done again in two steps. First, wet the outside. To do this, coming out of the bath or taking off a cool compress, pat the skin dry soft towel, but leave it slightly wet. Then gently movements put moisturizer. Experts research organization Mayo Clinic recommend especially gel with aloe and calamine lotion, experts authoritative medical publications WebMDSunburn - creams with menthol or camphor (in this case, in addition to moisture, you will receive an additional cooling effect).

Second, wet the inside. After scalding drink more water to prevent dehydration.

Don'ts

On the first day can not be applied to the skin, any fatty5 Ways to Treat a Sunburn and provides a means film. To effectively restore the skin needs to breathe. Prohibited:

• fatty nourishing creams;
• oils, including coconut;
• any fat - pork, badger, goose;
• sour cream, yogurt and other dairy products;
• Vaseline;
• honey;
• egg yolk.

There is a popular theory that burnt the skin should handle preparation containing dexpanthenol. However, the international medical recommendations on first aid for sunburns, this tool is not mentioned.

3. Remove the pain and inflammation

Take pain medication on the basis of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These drugs not only reduce the discomfort, but also help to reduce the edema and redness.

To enhance the effect, you can put on your skin cream OTC hydrocortisone.

Don'ts

Do not use external agents lidocaine and benzocaine.

4. Wait

Until the skin is restored, do not go out in the sun. If this does not get out, wear loose clothing with long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat. Continue to moisten the affected areas.

The skin may appear blisters. Dermatologists believe that they help epidermis to heal and protect against infections. Do not pierce them.

If the bubble bursts itself, gently clean it with soap and water, apply an antiseptic - a means to non-alcohol based (e.g., chlorhexidine) and water soluble ointment - and cover the wound with a gauze armband.

Don'ts

Do not hesitate and take a look as soon as possible to the physician or a dermatologist (and with distinct symptoms, call an ambulance) if:

• Bubbles formed on the skin diameter of 1.5 cm and larger. Most likely, they will burst and become foci of infection. So it is better to open and process with the help of a specialist.
• Blisters covered a vast area - for example, the entire back. The logic is the same as in the paragraph above.
• At the site of the bursting of the bubble skin is inflamed, reddened, rash has gone.
• The pain from a burn with time does not subside, and amplified.
• There are headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, fever, chills. These symptoms may be a sign of danger to life and limb heat stroke.
• There are signs of infection - blisters with pus or red strip under the skin in the affected area. Infection can lead to blood poisoning, it is important to stop in time.